After a loss to Florida State, the men’s basketball team (11-6, 1-2 ACC) hopes to change its fortunes as it returns home to face in-state rival Duke (16-1, 3-1 ACC). State will now face a Duke team that lost its first game of the year after falling to the Seminoles just a week earlier.
The Wolfpack will have to face the tough task of trying to shut down a Duke offense that is No. 4 in the nation with 85.5 points per game, led by senior forward Kyle Singler and senior guard Nolan Smith. The State defense knows it will have to be on its toes as it tries to handle two of the strongest offensive players in the ACC.
“Smith and Singler have always been interesting players,” junior guard C.J. Williams said. “They cut a lot into defenses, but Tracy [Smith] had a great game against them last year in our win. I’m sure he’ll do just that again.”
Smith, a senior forward, celebrated his 22nd birthday last year by scoring a game-high 23 points last season, helping State upset the then No. 6 ranked Devils. The Pack will need another offensive outburst from Smith in his final game against Duke in the RBC Center.
After both teams lost to Florida State, each team is in need of another ACC win, especially the Pack. State has been unable to get a resume building, but if it can take down Duke for the second straight time it will finally get that win.
Though the team faces its toughest opponent so far this year, Williams and company know they have to stick to their game plan.
“Our biggest fault this year has been not remaining solid,” Williams said. “We can’t make any major changes to our plans. It has to be simple plays that allow our big men to make it inside more often, so that the perimeter is less defended.”
So far this year, the perimeter game for State hasn’t been much of a factor. With only 4.7 3-pointers made each game, the team is hoping the inside game will lead to more opportunities. In an attempt to repeat last year’s good fortune in their defeat of Duke, the offense will focus on bringing the ball down low.
“We just can’t force the ball anywhere,” freshman guard Lorenzo Brown said. “We have to let the plays form before we try to make something out of nothing. If we can make it up and down the court, I’m sure things will flow as they should.”
While State has not fared well against top-25 teams, going 9-21, it has posted a 3-4 record against top-10 opponents under head coach Sidney Lowe.
After their success last year in the RBC Center, the team hopes that they can once again bring down the Duke team. If State can manage to shut down the duo of Singler and Smith, they can effectively cut Duke’s scoring opportunities in half.
“We have to have our big men out there and making plays,” Brown said. “Our defense is going to be key in taking out their two biggest scorers.”
With heads held high, the team will be inviting the Devils once again to their home court, where they are 8-1. The Pack is set to face their next David and Goliath-like battle against Duke at 7 p.m. tonight.
